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Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paris silver medallists Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson set sights on Hollywood ending at next Olympics
The scene was straight out of a sports movie. It was the women's beach volleyball final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, played under the lights beneath the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in mid-August. On one side stood Brazil's Ana Patricia Ramos and Eduarda Santos (Duda) Lisboa, a top team from a powerhouse country. Across from them lingered Canada's Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson. The Toronto-born duo was not expected to find itself in that moment — a mere 18 tournaments over two years together had shown itself with a 1-2 record in group play. But Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson rallied to win a lucky loser match, rolled through the first two rounds of the knockout stage, then won a three-setter in the semis to buck the odds and reach the final. Still, the Canadians entered as underdogs. Then, fireworks: a closely contested first set ended with a 26-24 Brazilian win, but the Canadians returned fire with a dominant 21-12 second-set victory. Along the way, Wilkerson and Ramos jawed like NHLers in a playoff scrum, prompting the in-game DJ to cheekily play John Lennon's Imagine. After a narrow third set, Ramos and Duda emerged with the Olympic title, ruining the Canadians' Hollywood ending. WATCH | Canada takes silver in women's beach volleyball after loss to Brazil: Speaking eight months later, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson were both still grappling with the duality of claiming Canada's first-ever women's medal in the sport while ending their tournament with a loss. "It was so much that led up to that point, not even just the two weeks at the Olympics," Humana-Paredes said. "When you're so close to being at the top and fighting for what you have been working for for so long and you fall short and like just short, that definitely hurts. "It's a huge sting. And I think it takes time for sure for that to just kind of sting less and less, but there's still so much to be proud of." Now set up for training in California, the Canadians' movie isn't over – they plan to continue working together, with the goal of gold and a literal Hollywood finish at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson will compete at their second stop of the Elite16 Beach Pro Tour season beginning Wednesday in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Live coverage of the tournament will be available on and CBC Gem. Their season debut in April was a bit of a reversal of their Olympic journey – the Canadians went undefeated in group play but fell in the quarterfinals, denying them a semifinal rematch against Ramos and Duda. Their next major tournament is the world championship in November in Adelaide, Australia. "Solidifying our spot as a world-class team on the World Tour is the new challenge that we're looking forward to," Wilkerson said. "We've always known we could do it. We've proven that we're the best in the world. So now to be able to do it over and over again is going to be the hardest challenge I think any athlete in any sport does, and it really differentiates the legendary ones from those that are extremely talented." Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson barely had time to process in the aftermath of their silver medal, with the regular season resuming just two weeks after that dramatic final and continuing through the fall. Humana-Paredes said their first downtime came around Christmas, but the duo took a longer-than-usual off-season to regroup. Now, they return to competition as Olympic silver medallists and with new targets painted on their backs. But in their view, the buildup to Los Angeles began two years ago – Paris was just a bonus. "We kind of have our foundation, but now it's like, OK, now we can get creative. Now we can push boundaries. I think we know we had moments where we could do that in the lead-up to Paris, but not as much as I feel like we have now," Humana-Paredes said. For Humana-Paredes, the silver medal could have been a culmination. Alongside former partner Sarah Pavan, she'd won the world title in 2019 and entered the Tokyo Olympic two years later among the favourites – only to lose in the quarterfinals. Finally reaching the Olympic podium three years later – albeit with a new teammate – could have felt like the end of a journey. Instead, it's only made her hungrier. "I look back at some of those games, I'm like, 'Oh, we can do that so much better.' And so I think there's a level of, we're not settling on that result. We keep moving forward. I think for better or for worse, you just keep moving and you keep going in the direction you want to go and you do it together," she said. Plus, while the silver was satisfying, it still did come with the bitter tinge of losing gold. "You can have both feelings. Like you can be disappointed and be super proud at the same time. And I think that's what was really eye-opening for me being like, 'Yeah, I'm all those things and more,'" Humana-Paredes said. Wilkerson is taking a similar approach. "I never want to become accustomed to not meeting my goals. That's not a good feeling. But outside of that, it's still something I'm processing and choosing to lean on how amazing of an opportunity it [was], choosing to be grateful and just be so proud," Wilkerson said. She said the attitude now goes something like this: they won Olympic silver just 18 tournaments into their time together – just think about what that could look like by 2028. "We're trying to use it to our advantage," Wilkerson said. More than anything, though, the vibes are immaculate between Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson. And that fact alone gives them confidence that, come 2028, they can take that final step. "I genuinely feel that Mel wants the best for me and I want the best for her and I think that's what's going to keep us strong throughout all of the challenges that are absolutely going to come," Wilkerson said. "We're getting to know each other more and more and she's the person I spend the most time with in my entire life. I think we find ways to enjoy that — and genuinely."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand Slam Track changes schedule for Philadelphia event
Changes are coming to the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. Founder and commissioner Michael Johnson announced on Thursday that the original three-day schedule for the professional track league event will be condensed to two days of competition. The Philadelphia Slam will now begin on Saturday, May 31 and wrap up on Sunday, June 1 at Franklin Field. "Coming off an amazing sold-out Miami Slam, we've taken time to celebrate the successes we've achieved in our inaugural season, but also have looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track in real time," Johnson said in a release. "We've said all along we want to listen to our fans, athletes, and coaches, and having heard feedback from various key stakeholders, we've made the decision to condense our schedule in Philadelphia into two, high-octane, and intense days of combat racing. We want to be the most flexible, adaptive, and fan-first league in sports, and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track experience for all." The move to a two-day event results in a significant change to the long distance category. The three-day competition window had allowed for a day of rest for the athletes between their 3,000-metre and 5,000m events, but now they will compete in a single 3,000m race in Philadelphia. That change also comes with an altered prize pool for long distance athletes, with winners taking home $50,000 US instead of the $100,000 previously up for grabs. WATCH | Track's new pro league, the Grand Slam of Track, explained: The final stop of the Grand Slam Track season is in Los Angeles from June 27-29. All Grand Slam Track events will be streamed live on and on CBC Gem. For a full broadcast schedule of athletics events this season, .
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Not slowing down: Andre De Grasse competing at Grand Slam Track in Miami, has eyes on L.A. 2028
One of Canada's most decorated Olympians isn't ready to stop competing at the Summer Games. In an interview with CBC Sports ahead of this weekend's Grand Slam Track Miami event, Andre De Grasse said he intends on running at L.A. 2028. The seven-time Olympic medallist said he'll be taking a season-by-season approach to attempt to build toward another Games, but the drive is still there. "I feel like I still got some more in the tank, so I'm definitely going to try to push to 2028 in L.A.," De Grasse said. This first season in a new Olympic quadrennial will be a busy one for the 30-year-old Canadian sprinter, capped by the world championships in Tokyo in September. But before the worlds, or next week's World Athletics Relays, De Grasse will continue this season with the Grand Slam Track meet at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla. Watch all the action from Grand Slam Track Miami beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. ET on and CBC Gem. Click here for the full broadcast schedule. For De Grasse, a native of Markham, Ont., the decision to compete in the new elite track league had a lot to do with location. He's currently training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., under coach Mike Holloway. That's where De Grasse won the 200 metres in 20.32 seconds at the Florida Relays three weeks ago, and followed that up by helping Canada win the 4x100m relay event. WATCH | Team Canada's victorious run at 2:38: Grand Slam Track — the brainchild of American sprint legend Michael Johnson — presented the chance for De Grasse to run his first 100-metre race of the season against top talent, without going overseas. It also means that De Grasse – who currently lives in Florida with his partner, American hurdler Nia Ali, and their three children – can stay closer to home. "I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to try it out and still be kind of close to home and not jeopardize too much of my training," he said. "We always have to try to go overseas and travel so far just to get a race." WATCH | Andre De Grasse explains why he's racing in the Grand Slam Track circuit: The new league's format is another reason that interested De Grasse. Grand Slam Track has athletes compete in two different disciplines, with points awarded in both events related to placement. For De Grasse's men's short sprints group, that means running in both 100m and 200m races. That format could serve as an advantage for the Canadian, who won Olympic gold in the 200m at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is a member of the reigning Olympic champion 4x100m relay team. "It definitely reminds me a little bit about how, when I go to world championships, I run the double. So, I felt like this would be good training," De Grasse said. "I'm used to doing two races at a time, so I don't think that would affect me or bother me as much as other athletes." The field in Miami includes Americans Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley, Jamaica's Oblique Seville, and Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes. De Grasse is very familiar with his competition and sees racing against them as a good measuring stick at the start of a long season. "These are guys that I've raced plenty of times at the Olympics or world championships," De Grasse said. "I feel like it's a great field for both races. I'm just looking forward to the challenge, and seeing where I'm at. "It's going to be my opener for the 100, so I'm looking forward to seeing how I match up against these guys." Another competitor in the field is someone De Grasse knows very well – his Canadian 4x100m relay teammate Jerome Blake. About a week after they line up against one another, De Grasse and Blake will once again team up at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Competition in the men's short sprints begins on Saturday at 6:53 p.m. ET with the 100m event. The 200m race is the final event on Sunday, scheduled to begin at 5:21 p.m. ET. Other Canadians at the Miami event include Marco Arop (men's short distance), Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (men's long distance), and Lucia Stafford (women's short distance). No slowing down in 2025 The rest of De Grasse's season will see him travel around the world, with the World Athletics Relays in China starting on May 10, plus Diamond League meets, and it culminates with the world championships in Tokyo. But he also has his eye on the seasons still to come – and the 2028 Olympic Games. "Obviously I'm taking it year by year. But, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm in a new training environment. So, yeah, I'm definitely feeling pretty good. "The main thing for me is just staying healthy…and knock on wood, I've been healthy. I've been feeling great. So as long as the body is good, I can keep pushing and keep going. WATCH | Track's new pro league, Grand Slam Track, explained: De Grasse will be 33 years old by the time the next Summer Games roll around, but he's encouraged by examples of athletic longevity currently on display in track. "I see so many other athletes that have done it. You're still seeing Shelly-Ann [Fraser-Pryce] still doing it, and she's [38] and running crazy times." De Grasse also has some inspiration that's a little closer to home. To be specific, in his home. "My partner Nia Ali, she was 31 or 32 when she won the world championship in 2019," he said. "So, I feel like anything's possible if you just have the mindset, the dedication, and hard work to keep telling yourself to do it."
CBC
01-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Not slowing down: Andre De Grasse competing at Grand Slam Track in Miami, has eyes on L.A. 2028
Social Sharing One of Canada's most decorated Olympians isn't ready to stop competing at the Summer Games. In an interview with CBC Sports ahead of this weekend's Grand Slam Track Miami event, Andre De Grasse said he intends on running at L.A. 2028. The seven-time Olympic medallist said he'll be taking a season-by-season approach to attempt to build toward another Games, but the drive is still there. "I feel like I still got some more in the tank, so I'm definitely going to try to push to 2028 in L.A.," De Grasse said. This first season in a new Olympic quadrennial will be a busy one for the 30-year-old Canadian sprinter, capped by the world championships in Tokyo in September. But before the worlds, or next week's World Athletics Relays, De Grasse will continue this season with the Grand Slam Track meet at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla. Watch all the action from Grand Slam Track Miami beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. ET on and CBC Gem. Click here for the full broadcast schedule. For De Grasse, a native of Markham, Ont., the decision to compete in the new elite track league had a lot to do with location. He's currently training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., under coach Mike Holloway. That's where De Grasse won the 200 metres in 20.32 seconds at the Florida Relays three weeks ago, and followed that up by helping Canada win the 4x100m relay event. Grand Slam Track — the brainchild of American sprint legend Michael Johnson — presented the chance for De Grasse to run his first 100-metre race of the season against top talent, without going overseas. It also means that De Grasse – who currently lives in Florida with his partner, American hurdler Nia Ali, and their three children – can stay closer to home. " I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to try it out and still be kind of close to home and not jeopardize too much of my training," he said. "We always have to try to go overseas and travel so far just to get a race." WATCH | Andre De Grasse explains why he's racing in the Grand Slam Track circuit: Andre De Grasse is racing in the Grand Slam Track circuit. Listen to him explain why 13 hours ago Duration 0:34 The new league's format is another reason that interested De Grasse. Grand Slam Track has athletes compete in two different disciplines, with points awarded in both events related to placement. For De Grasse's men's short sprints group, that means running in both 100m and 200m races. That format could serve as an advantage for the Canadian, who won Olympic gold in the 200m at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is a member of the reigning Olympic champion 4x100m relay team. "It definitely reminds me a little bit about how, when I go to world championships, I run the double. So, I felt like this would be good training," De Grasse said. "I'm used to doing two races at a time, so I don't think that would affect me or bother me as much as other athletes." The field in Miami includes Americans Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley, Jamaica's Oblique Seville, and Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes. De Grasse is very familiar with his competition and sees racing against them as a good measuring stick at the start of a long season. "These are guys that I've raced plenty of times at the Olympics or world championships," De Grasse said. "I feel like it's a great field for both races. I'm just looking forward to the challenge, and seeing where I'm at. "It's going to be my opener for the 100, so I'm looking forward to seeing how I match up against these guys." Another competitor in the field is someone De Grasse knows very well – his Canadian 4x100m relay teammate Jerome Blake. About a week after they line up against one another, De Grasse and Blake will once again team up at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Competition in the men's short sprints begins on Saturday at 6:53 p.m. ET with the 100m event. The 200m race is the final event on Sunday, scheduled to begin at 5:21 p.m. ET. Other Canadians at the Miami event include Marco Arop (men's short distance), Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (men's long distance), and Lucia Stafford (women's short distance). No slowing down in 2025 The rest of De Grasse's season will see him travel around the world, with the World Athletics Relays in China starting on May 10, plus Diamond League meets, and it culminates with the world championships in Tokyo. But he also has his eye on the seasons still to come – and the 2028 Olympic Games. "Obviously I'm taking it year by year. But, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm in a new training environment. So, yeah, I'm definitely feeling pretty good. "The main thing for me is just staying healthy…and knock on wood, I've been healthy. I've been feeling great. So as long as the body is good, I can keep pushing and keep going. Track's new pro league, Grand Slam Track, explained 29 days ago Duration 0:51 De Grasse will be 33 years old by the time the next Summer Games roll around, but he's encouraged by examples of athletic longevity currently on display in track. "I see so many other athletes that have done it. You're still seeing Shelly-Ann [Fraser-Pryce] still doing it, and she's [38] and running crazy times." De Grasse also has some inspiration that's a little closer to home. To be specific, in his home. "My partner Nia Ali, she was 31 or 32 when she won the world championship in 2019," he said. "So, I feel like anything's possible if you just have the mindset, the dedication, and hard work to keep telling yourself to do it."
CBC
16-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Watch inaugural NSL season kick off with Vancouver Rise FC hosting Calgary Wild FC
Click on the video above at 10 p.m. ET as the inaugural Northern Super League season begins tonight between Calgary Wild FC and Vancouver Rise FC at B.C. Place Stadium. The match is available at and on the free CBC Gem streaming service. The league, co-founded by former Canada women's national soccer player Diana Matheson, consists of six Canadian-based teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Each team roster has both Canadian and International talent, including Team Canada veterans Quinn, Desiree Scott and Erin McLeod. For retired Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair, a co-owner of Rise FC, the emotions are starting to set in ahead of the season's launch. "We have literally waited our whole career for this moment and to see this next generation of Canadians have this opportunity…all the young kids in the stands that can dream a different dream than I had growing up," she said. "Right now, I'm a little emotional." Christine Sinclair says 'exciting times for women's soccer' in Canada as Northern Super League kicks off 20 hours ago Duration 9:10 Canadian soccer legend and co-owner of Vancouver Rise FC joins Andi Petrillo to discuss the NSL's momentous kick-off. Check out the full interview on the web.
